Sound producing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Sound producing apparatus ( 20 ) is disclosed which simulates a fire cracker. The apparatus comprises a selectively actuatable aerosol ( 24 ) which fills a chamber ( 35 ) with compressed fluid which, when a certain pressure is reached, blows off a cap ( 38 ) creating a shower of confetti ( 39 ) and a loud bang. In other embodiments, a plurality of elastomeric members filled with compressed air which are ruptured or a selectively operable compressed fluid container formed by the apparatus housing, art used to create a similar effect.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sound producing apparatus more particularly,but not exclusively, to fireworks and fire crackers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fireworks and, in Chinese culture, fire crackers form an integral partof many celebrations, such as at Chinese New Year, opening ceremoniesand birthdays. In recent years, however, the use of fireworks and firecrackers has been restricted and in some countries such as Hong Kong andSingapore such use is forbidden, due to the inherent safety hazards ofsuch products.

It is the object of the invention to provide a sound producing apparatuswhich alleviates this disadvantage of conventional fireworks and firecrackers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided sound producing apparatuscomprising a container arranged to contain compressed fluid; and achamber in selective fluid communication with the container, the chamberhaving an outlet arranged to open when fluid pressure in the chamberexceeds a threshold.

The apparatus preferably further comprising a housing which either formsor contains the container and/or the chamber.

The container may be a pressure pack dispenser or an aerosol having anoutlet valve and may further comprise a housing in which the containeris movable between a first position in which the valve is opened and asecond position in which the valve is closed and a stop member whichengages and opens the valve in the first position.

The container may be formed from an elastomeric material and theapparatus preferably further comprises a rupture member for rupturingthe container, the rupture member preferably being a pin member or apiston member. At least one further container may be provided, thecontainers being openable one after the other.

The container and chamber are preferably connected by at least oneselectively operable valve means which may comprise (1) a valve memberslidable in a valve sleeve, the valve member and sleeve having openingswhich in an open position align to allow fluid transfer through thevalve or (2) a valve member slidable between open and closed positionsrelative to a sealing element, the valve member having a fluidpassageway which in the open position allows fluid transfer past thesealing element and/or (3) a sleeve of elastomeric material covering afluid transfer opening, the sleeve forming a one-way valve member.

The apparatus further preferably comprises means for controlling openingof the container and the controlling means may comprise a control fluidinlet for receiving a fluid control signal for opening the container ormay comprise means for receiving an electrical control signal foropening the container.

The apparatus preferably farther comprises a sealing member covering theoutlet, the sealing member being displaceable when the fluid pressureexceeds the threshold.

The sound producing apparatus is preferably in the exterior form of afire cracker (or other explosive device) and confetti and/or a powderedmaterial is/are preferably disposed in the chamber.

The compressed fluid may be gaseous such as air or liquid such as liquidpetroleum gas or liquid propellant.

The invention extends to a plurality of sound producing apparatuseswhich may be connected together to resemble a string of fire crackers.

One sound producing apparatus is preferably associated with a delaymeans for delaying actuation of another sound producing apparatus.

The delay means may comprise a valve includes a valve member resilientlybiased towards a valve seat, the valve being openable in response toincreased pressure against the valve member to force the valve memberaway from the valve seat or a rupture disc.

A source of compressed fluid is preferably connected to the soundproducing apparatuses and a resilient elastomeric member may further beprovided, the resilient elastomeric member being inflatable to beyondthe point of rupture in response to introduction of fluid from saidfluid source.

The delay means may comprise an electrical delay circuit.

In the described embodiments of the invention, a housing of the soundproducing apparatus is in the exterior form of a fire cracker, theoutlet being covered by a displaceable cap and a region adjacent the capbeing filled with confetti and a fine powder, so that when the cap isdisplaced, a loud bang is heard as the fluid under pressure escapes and,at the same time, a shower of confetti and the powder, which simulatessmoke, is expelled. The apparatus thus simulates a fire cracker withoutthe associated dangers.

A plurality of sound producing apparatuses may be connected together toresemble the tree-like formation of a typical fire cracker. Each soundproducing apparatus is connected to the next and actuated via arespective delay means so that one sound producing apparatus is actuatedbefore the next and so on, to give a staggered series of bangs like aconventional fire cracker tree.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a part-sectional view of a simulated fire cracker treeincorporating an embodiment of sound producing apparatus of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the soundproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a connector for connectingthe sound producing apparatus to a fluid actuator source in the firecracker tree of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2 of a secondembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a thirdembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating an alternativeconnector.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 6

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a fourthembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a fifthembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 onceactuated.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a sixthembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment, onceactuated.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating asecond alternative connector; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view across 14—14 of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a simulated fire cracker “tree” generallydesignated 10 is shown. The simulated fire cracker tree is shaped,externally, to resemble the conventional one in which a plurality offire crackers are connected together by a fuse, terminating in a single,larger “finale” cracker. In use, the fuse is lit and the fire crackersare exploded one after the other with the largest, loudest cracker beingsaved until last.

In the embodiment of the present invention now described, theconventional fire crackers are each replaced by a sound producingapparatus simply referred to hereafter as an “air cracker” 20. The aircrackers 20 are connected together by tubes 40 via connectors 50. Thefirst tube 40 is connected, at one end, to a source of compressed fluid(such as compressed air or liquid propellant) 44 via a valve 42. Thelast tube 40 is connected to a balloon 70 filled with confetti 72 via athrottle 74 to reduce airflow, the balloon 70 being enclosed in a paperhousing 76. An ornamental scroll 77 is held in place by the housing 76.

The air cracker 20 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2 and comprises ahollow cylindrical housing 22 preferably formed from red plasticsmaterial in which a pressure pack dispenser or aerosol 24 containing acompressed fluid, preferably compressed air, is disposed. The dispenseris a snug but sliding fit in the housing 22 and an O-ring 26 forms afluid seal between the housing 22 and aerosol 24. The dispenser isprovided, at one end, with a depression-openable valve 28 and a fluidoutlet 30. The valve is of a conventional construction so that upondepression of outlet 30, fluid under pressure can escape from aerosol24. A cylindrical stopper 31 is held in housing 22 and receives the freeend of outlet 30 in a cylindrical recess 32 which is in fluidcommunication with a cylindrical fluid outlet 34.

The housing 22 is provided, at one end, with a hollow cylindricalprojection 37 forming a control fluid inlet 36. The dispenser isprovided with a circular recess 25 at its base, in fluid communicationwith inlet 36. The housing at the other end is provided with a chamber35 having displaceable sealing member or cap 38 formed, for example,from plastics material, cardboard or paper, the chamber 35 being filledwith confetti 39.

The air cracker 20 is attached to connector 50 shown in FIG. 3.Connector 50 has a valve body 69 with three cylindrical bores 51, 52, 53formed therein. Cylindrical protrusion 37 of air cracker 20 is held inbore 53 and two tubes 40 are held in cylindrical bores 51, 52, by anyconvenient means. Bores 51-53 are in fluid communication via conduits54, 55, 56. Conduits 54 and 55 which connect bore 51 which is connectedto tube 40 closest to air supply 44 and bore 53 which is connected toair cracker 20, are in direct fluid communication. Conduit 55 is,however, connected to conduit 56 via a valve 60. Valve 60 comprisesvalve member 62 of conical form engaging a cylindrical knife edged valveseat 64. Valve member 62 is held in contact with valve seat 64 by meansof a spring 66 held in place by means of a cap 68 which threadedlyengages valve body 69.

In use, the air crackers 20 are assembled into a tree as shown in FIG.1. When a user desires to actuate the air crackers 20, valve 42 isopened allowing air under pressure to pass from reservoir 44 along tube40. When the first connector 50 is reached, the air under pressure,through conduits 54, 55 enters control fluid inlet 36. The resultingincreased pressure acts on the recess 25 of aerosol 24 causing theaerosol to move to the right in FIG. 2 against stopper 31, this causingfluid outlet 30 to be depressed relative to valve 28. Compressed airthen rushes out of the aerosol 24 through outlet 34 quickly raising thepressure in chamber 35 adjacent displaceable cap 38 until the cap eitherruptures or blows off the housing 22. At that point, due to the highpressure difference, a sudden pressure wave will be generated causing aloud bang, at the same time blowing the confetti 39 out of the aircracker 20, thus simulating the explosion of a fire cracker.

All air crackers 20 operate in the same way but, due to the operation ofvales 50, do so one after the other in the manner of a conventional firecracker tree. More specifically, with reference to FIG. 3, after valve42 has been opened, conduits 54 and 55 will rise in pressure; as thepressure rises this will cause valve 60 to open by forcing valve member62 back against spring 66 and away from valve seat 64, thus allowingcompressed air from reservoir 44 to flow through conduit 55 to conduit56 and thus to the next connector 50, so to actuate the next air cracker20, and so on with a short time delay, dependent on the speed at whichvalve 60 opens, occurring between actuation of each air cracker . 20

After the last air cracker 20 has been actuated and the correspondingvalve has opened, the compressed air from reservoir 44 flows viathrottle 74 into balloon 72 which expands. The balloon ruptures papercasing 76, causing the scroll 77 to unroll and continues to expand untilbursting, the confetti 72 in the balloon then being expelled as ashower.

A second embodiment of the air cracker is shown in FIG. 4 in whichhousing 100 is similar to housing 22 of FIG. 2 but contains threespherical elastomeric containers 112, 114, 116, for example smallinflated balloons, containing compressed air. At one end of container100, a hollow cylindrical projection 102 connects to connector 50 in thesame manner as the embodiment of FIG. 2. Bore 104, however, contains acaptured pin 106, of any conventional construction, which is resilientlybiased within passage 104 but able to move into housing 100 and rupturecontainer 112 in the same manner as applying a needle to a balloon, oncepressure from reservoir 44 is received via connector 50. Thesubstantially increased pressure within housing 100 when container 112is ruptured will cause a knock-on effect, rupturing container 114 whichin turn ruptures container 116. Confetti 120 is disposed in a chamber121 between container 116 and opening 108 of housing 100. A cap 122 isplaced over opening 108. When use, the rupturing of containers 112, 114,116 will cause a blast of air to rupture or blow off cap 122, at thesame time generating a staggered series of loud bangs and producing ashower of confetti.

A third embodiment of the air cracker invention is shown in FIG. 5 whichis similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4 except that (1) needle 106 isreplaced by a cylindrical piston member 130 which is provided with asealing O-ring 132 and (2) a stopper member 134 is securely connected tocasing 100. In use, increased pressure in passageway 104 causes pistonmember 130 to compress containers 112, 114, 116 causing them to rupture.In order to assist this process, stopper member 134 may be provided witha plurality of prongs 136, to rupture container 116. The compressed airthus released then exits through openings 135, the air cracker operatingas described with reference to FIG. 5.

A variation of the connector 50 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In thesefigures, the air cracker tree is the same as that of FIG. 1, the onlydifference being connector 150.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 7, connector 150 has four connectingbores 152, 154, 156, 158. Bore 152 is connected to tube 40 and isnearest to compressed air source 44. Bores 154, 156 are connected torespective air crackers 20 and are in direct fluid communication withbore 152 via passageways 160, 162, 164. Bore 158 is connected todownstream air crackers via a rupture disc 170 and tube 40, the burstingof the rupture disc 170 due to increased pressure of a predeterminedlevel causing a delay in the similar manner to valve 60 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention which is the same asFIG. 2 except that the O-ring 26 has been replaced by a cylindricalrubber piston member 29. The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 isthe same as that of FIG. 2 except that when air under pressure entersthrough control inlet 36, this acts on piston member 29 to force pistonmember 29 against aerosol 24 and move with it as valve 28 opens.

A fifth embodiment of invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Inthis embodiment, part of the air cracker housing forms the container ofthe previous embodiments. Specifically, hollow cylindrical housing 300is provided with two spaced cylindrical elements 310, 320, each having aco-axial bore 311, 321. Element 310 is secured to and forms an end ofhousing 300. Element 320 includes a cylindrical base portion 322 whichrests on a shelf 323 of housing 300. Portion 322 is held adjacent theshelf by a circlip 324.

A valve member 330 is disposed between the elements. A central portion332 of member 330 is connector to narrower end portions 334 and 336which are slidable in the respective bores 311, 321. Ridges formedbetween the narrower portions 334, 336 and central portion 332 limit thedegree of sliding travel of the member 330 which can move from a closedposition shown in FIG. 9 to an open shown in FIG. 10. Bore 311 isconnected at one end to a bore 342 formed in a projection 346 to providea control fluid inlet in the same manner as previous embodiments. Endportion 334 is provided with a sealing O-ring 339 which sits in acorresponding annular recess to prevent fluid leakage along bore 311.

A generally hollow cylindrical chamber 350 is formed between housing 300and member 330 and the chamber 350 is arranged to be filled withcompressed fluid in the manner of the previous embodiments. End portion336 and element 320 together provide a valving means to enable the space350 to be filled with compressed fluid and for compressed fluid to bedischarged therefrom. For filling, end portion 336 is provided with ahollow cylindrical bore 352 which connects, at one end, to a pair ofradially extending bores 354, 356. The free ends of bores 354, 356 liein an annular channel 358 in which a sleeve 360 formed from rubber orother elastomeric material is disposed. Free end 362 of bore 352 isconnectable to a source of compressed air (or other compressible fluid).In use, sleeve 360 acts as a one way valve so that compressed air fromopening 362 will enter space 350 via bores 352, 354, 356, pushing opensleeve 360. The compressed air in space 350 will, after filling, forcesleeve 360 into contact with the openings of bores 354, 356, thussealing a connection and preventing the compressed air from beingexpelled.

Valving to allow air to be expelled from space 350 is provided by tworadial bores 370, 372 formed in element 320 and a further pair of radialbores 374, 376 formed in end portion 336 which are connected at one endto an annular channel 378 and at the other to bore 352. O-rings 380, 382and 384 prevent leakage of compressed fluid along bore 321.

End 362 of bore 352 projects into a chamber 390 filled with confetti. Asealing member or cap 392 of the same design as the previous embodimentscovers the chamber 390.

In use, the space 350 is filled with compressed air and the chamber 390packed with confetti and sealed with cap 392. When it is desired toactuate the air cracker, compressed air is applied through bore 342 tomove member 330 from the position shown in FIG. 9 to that shown in FIG.10 at which bores 370, 372 align with bores 374, 376 and annular recess378, causing air to be expelled from space 350 into chamber 390. Thepressure in chamber 390 builds up until cap 392 either ruptures or blowsoff causing a loud bang and the confetti to be expelled in the manner ofthe previous embodiments.

A seventh embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The seventh embodimentis substantially the same as the sixth embodiment except that element400 is now in the form of a cylindrical sealing disk in the central bore408 of which a cylindrical end portion 401 of member 330 is slidablyreceived. Bores 370-376 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 have been replacedby two axial grooves 402, 404 in portion 401 which are of a lengthgreater than the width of disk 400. A sealing O-ring 406 is provided toprevent leakage of compressed air along the bore 408.

As shown in FIG. 11, which shows the air cracker in a charged position,the slots 402, 404 do not communicate with chamber 390 and, any seepageof air is blocked by O-ring 406. When actuated, shown in FIG. 12, thegrooves 402, 404 connects space 350 with chamber 390, thus allowing airto enter chamber 390 increasing the pressure in the chamber until thecap ruptures or blows off expelling the confetti as shown.

A third form of valve member similar to that shown in FIG. 6, is shownin FIGS. 13 and 14. A valve body 500 is provided with a compressed airinlet 510 and a compressed air outlet 520 to which are connected first525 and second 524 connectors to which air crackers are respectivelyattached. Inlet 510 and outlet 520 are further connected by means of avalve 530. This connection is shown in more detail in FIG. 14. Inlet 510is connected by means of a bore 512 to a valve chamber 532 in which avalve member 534 sits. The valve member 534 is biased by a spring 536held in place by a cap 538 towards a valve seat 540. The valve member534 is a conical shape so that air pressure applied through bore 512will tend to act against the bias of spring 536, so that when thepressure is great enough, this will force up the valve member 534 to thepoint where bore 512 is in communication with a bore 525 connected tooutlet 520, so that the compressed air may be supplied to the aircrackers connectors 522, 524. The inertia of the valve provides a timedelay for actuation of the air crackers through connectors 522, 524, asbefore.

The confetti may be mixed with a fine powder to provide the impressionof smoke. Preferably the powder is flour or talcum powder.

The embodiments of the invention described above are not to be construedas limitative. For example, actuation control of the air crackers hasbeen effected in the described embodiments by fluid means. This could beachieved by any other suitable means, for example electrical (solenoid)operation with the delay valves being replaced by delay circuits.Furthermore, the air crackers need not be disposed as part of an aircracker tree, but may be used separately to represent a single firework,fire cracker, thunder flash or a simulated explosion device such as amortar simulator. When forming part of a tree, some or all of the delaymeans may be omitted, depending on the effect desired.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sound producing apparatus comprising aplurality of sound producers operatively connected together, each soundproducer comprising a container arranged to contain compressed fluid anda chamber in selective fluid communication with the container, thechamber having an outlet arranged to open upon actuation of the soundproducer to release the fluid when fluid pressure in the chamber exceedsa threshold, and the apparatus further comprising delay means arrangedto stagger actuation of the sound producers.
 2. The sound producingapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a housing forming the container.3. The sound producing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a housingcontaining the container.
 4. The sound producing apparatus of claim 2wherein the housing forms the chamber.
 5. The sound producing apparatusof claim 3 wherein the housing forms the chamber.
 6. The sound producingapparatus of claim 1 wherein the container is in the form of a pressurepack dispenser or an aerosol having an outlet valve.
 7. The soundproducing apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a housing in which thecontainer is movable between a first position in which the valve isopened and a second position in which the valve is closed.
 8. The soundproducing apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a stop member whichengages and opens the valve in the first position.
 9. The soundproducing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container is formed from anelastomeric material.
 10. The sound producing apparatus of claim 9further comprising a rupture member for rupturing the container.
 11. Thesound producing apparatus of claim 10 wherein the rupture member is apin member or a piston member.
 12. The sound producing apparatus ofclaim 9 further comprising at least one further container, thecontainers being openable one after the other.
 13. The sound producingapparatus of claim 10 further comprising at least one further container,the containers being openable one after the other.
 14. The soundproducing apparatus of claim 11 further comprising at least one furthercontainer, the containers being openable one after the other.
 15. Thesound producing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container and chamberare connected by at least one selectively operable valve means.
 16. Thesound producing apparatus of claim 15 wherein a said valve meanscomprises a valve member slidable in a valve sleeve, the valve memberand sleeve having openings which in an open position align to allowfluid transfer through the valve.
 17. The sound producing apparatus ofclaim 15 wherein a said valve means comprises a valve member slidablebetween open and closed positions relative to a sealing element, thevalve member having a fluid passageway which in the open position allowsfluid transfer past the sealing element.
 18. The sound producingapparatus of claim 15 wherein a said valve means comprises a sleeve ofelastomeric material covering a fluid transfer opening, the sleeveforming a one-way valve member.
 19. The sound producing apparatus ofclaim 16 wherein a said valve means comprises a sleeve of elastomericmaterial covering a fluid transfer opening, the sleeve forming a one-wayvalve member.
 20. The sound producing apparatus of claim 17 wherein asaid valve means comprises a sleeve of elastomeric material covering afluid transfer opening, the sleeve forming a one-way valve member. 21.The sound producing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means forcontrolling opening of the container.
 22. The sound producing apparatusof claim 21 wherein the controlling means comprises a control fluidinlet for receiving a fluid control signal for opening the container.23. The sound producing apparatus of claim 22 wherein the controllingmeans comprises means for receiving an electrical control signal foropening the container.
 24. The sound producing apparatus of claim 1further comprising a sealing member covering the outlet, the sealingmember being displaceable when the fluid pressure exceeds the threshold.25. The sound producing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sound produceris in the exterior form of a fire cracker.
 26. The sound producingapparatus of claim 25 wherein confetti or a powdered material isdisposed in the chamber.
 27. The sound producing apparatus of claim 1wherein the compressed fluid is gaseous.
 28. The sound producingapparatus of claim 1 wherein the compressed fluid is liquid petroleumgas or liquid propellant.
 29. The sound producing apparatus of claim 1wherein the plurality of sound producers are connected together toresemble a string of fire crackers.
 30. The sound producing apparatus ofclaim 29 wherein one sound producer is associated with said delay meansfor delaying actuation of another sound producer.
 31. The soundproducing apparatus of claim 30 wherein the delay means comprises avalve including a valve member resiliently biased towards a valve seat,the valve being openable in response to increased pressure against thevalve member to force the valve member away from the valve seat.
 32. Thesound producing apparatus of claim 30 wherein the delay means comprisesa rupture disc.
 33. The sound producing apparatus of claim 28 furthercomprising a source of compressed fluid connected to the apparatus. 34.The sound producing apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a source ofcompressed fluid connected to the apparatus.
 35. The sound producingapparatus of claim 30 further comprising a source of compressed fluidconnected to the apparatus.
 36. The sound producing apparatus of claim31 further comprising a source of compressed fluid connected to theapparatus.
 37. The sound producing apparatus of claim 32 furthercomprising a source of compressed fluid connected to the apparatus. 38.The sound producing apparatus of claim 33 further comprising a resilientelastomeric member, the resilient elastomeric member being inflatable tobeyond the point of rupture in response to introduction of fluid fromsaid fluid source.
 39. The sound producing apparatus of claim 34 furthercomprising a resilient elastomeric member, the resilient elastomericmember being inflatable to beyond the point of rupture in response tointroduction of fluid from said fluid source.
 40. The sound producingapparatus of claim 35 further comprising a resilient elastomeric member,the resilient elastomeric member being inflatable to beyond the point ofrupture in response to introduction of fluid from said fluid source. 41.The sound producing apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a resilientelastomeric member, the resilient elastomeric member being inflatable tobeyond the point of rupture in response to introduction of fluid fromsaid fluid source.
 42. The sound producing apparatus of claim 37 furthercomprising a resilient elastomeric member, the resilient elastomericmember being inflatable to beyond the point of rupture in response tointroduction of fluid from said fluid source.
 43. The sound producingapparatus of claim 30 wherein the delay means comprises an electricaldelay circuit.
 44. The sound producing apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefluid is released out of the apparatus when fluid pressure in thechamber exceeds the threshold.